San Diego police are continuing to unravel the complex case of two La Jolla men shot and wounded four hours apart on opposite ends of town by a University City man in two separate but apparently related incidents.

The suspect in the Sept. 18 shooting taken into custody was identified as Hans Petersen.

San Diego Police Lt. Kevin Mayer said Steven Dowdy was in his bedroom shortly after 3 a.m. in the 5700 block of Waverly Avenue in Bird Rock when shots rang out.

“An unknown suspect, later identified as Hans Petersen, was standing outside of the house and fired a gun multiple times into Dowdy’s bedroom,” said Mayer. “Dowdy was struck in the lower side of his back by one round. Petersen fled the scene.”

Mayer said Dowdy was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

That same morning about four hours later, Petersen allegedly broke into the home of Ronald Fletcher at 1462 Cottontail Lane in the Muirlands area.

“Petersen shot Fletcher once in the stomach,” Mayer said. “Fletcher was able to disarm Petersen and during an ensuing physical fight, struck Petersen with the gun. Officers arrived and found Fletcher and Petersen inside the house. Petersen was identified as the suspect and arrested.”

Mayer said both men were taken to a local hospital for treatment.

“A handgun was recovered at the crime scene on Cottontail Lane,” Mayer said.

Mayer said Petersen was booked into jail after being released from the hospital.

The investigation revealed Petersen was a former business associate of Dowdy’s. He said their relationship began to sour when Petersen lost his job and blamed Dowdy.

Petersen is married to, and estranged from, Fletcher’s sister.

“It is believed Fletcher was shot by Petersen because of the role Fletcher played in his sister’s separation from Petersen,” Mayer said.

An investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call San Diego Police Northern Division at (858) 551-1700 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

— Dave Schwab

Update:

Hans Antone Petersen appeared in court Monday and asked that his arraignment be delayed for a week so he could retain an attorney to represent him on his attempted murder charges.

Nothing about the case was said as Petersen, 49, appeared in jail clothes before San Diego Superior Court Judge David Szumowski, who re-set the arraignment for Monday, Sept. 30.

Deputy public defender Sal Tarantino told Szumowski that Petersen was not allowed phone privileges in jail, making it difficult for Petersen to talk to any attorneys. On Sept. 20, attorney Kevin Milmoe appeared with him and also asked for a delay, but Milmoe did not return to court on Monday.

Petersen is charged with three counts of attempted murder, two burglaries, two counts of discharging a firearm that resulted in great bodily injury and shooting into an inhabited dwelling, according to a county website.

Deputy District Attorney Amy Maund declined to say anything about the case, either in court or in the hallway, saying the arraignment would have to take place first before she could say anything.

No arguments about bail were heard either Friday or Monday, and Petersen agreed to stay in custody without bail as part of the decision to delay the arraignment until Sept. 30.